Brazilian courts have registered a historic record in granting protective measures for women victims of violence, according to the portal. g1New data from the National Council of Justice (CNJ) indicates that 255.123 measures were granted in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the highest volume ever recorded for any three-month period since the start of national monitoring in 2020.
In practice, the numbers reveal that a woman began receiving judicial protection every 30 seconds in the country during the first months of this year. This progress highlights a growing demand for protection mechanisms provided for in the Maria da Penha Law, but it also occurs within a worrying context of increased gender-based violence.
The survey also shows that May 2026 reached a new historical milestone, with 93.782 protective measures granted. This result surpassed the previous record, registered in September 2025 when 82.697 such judicial decisions were recorded, by 13,4%. Compared to the previous quarter, the growth was 7,52%.
Protective measures are instruments provided for by Law No. 11.340/2006 to safeguard women in situations of risk. Generally, they are requested by victims at specialized police stations or directly from the Judiciary and may determine the removal of the aggressor, prohibition of contact, and other restrictions aimed at preserving the physical and psychological integrity of the woman.
Continuous growth
Data from the CNJ (National Council of Justice) reveals a steady upward trend over the past few years. When national monitoring began in January 2020, approximately 20 protective measures were recorded per month. Six years later, the monthly volume has already surpassed 90 judicial decisions.
Experts point out that the increase should not be interpreted solely as a reflection of women's greater confidence in protection mechanisms, but also as an indication that domestic and family violence continues to rise in the country.
Increase in violence against women
The increase in protective measures is occurring in parallel with the rise in femicide cases. According to data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), Brazil registered 399 victims of femicide between January and March of this year, the highest number for a first quarter since the beginning of the historical series in 2015.
According to Nathalie Malveiro, a Criminal Prosecutor at the Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo (MPSP), the two indicators are not contradictory. On the contrary, they reflect a reality of worsening gender-based violence accompanied by greater awareness among women about their rights.
"The more we talk about it, the safer women feel, the more they report incidents and request protective measures," she states. g1.
According to the prosecutor, the expansion of public debate on domestic violence and femicide has encouraged victims to break the silence and seek help before the abuse escalates into even more serious situations.
An important prevention tool
Although there are cases in which women have been murdered even with protective measures in place, experts argue that these instruments remain one of the main ways to prevent femicide.
A study conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo in 2017 analyzed approximately 364 reports of violence against women and concluded that only 3% of the victims had obtained protective measures. The survey also indicated that the majority of victims of completed or attempted femicide never filed a police report or requested judicial protection.
The research concluded that "breaking the silence and granting protective measures is one of the most effective strategies in preventing the death of women."
For Nathalie Malveiro, the protective measure does not eliminate the risk, but it creates important obstacles to the escalation of violence.
"In a sexist and patriarchal society, a court order in a conflict often makes the man understand that his conduct is not appropriate," explains Malveiro.
The prosecutor compares the measure's effectiveness to a containment mechanism capable of reducing the risk of more serious attacks.
Oversight is essential.
In addition to granting judicial protection, experts argue that monitoring compliance with the rulings is essential to ensure their effectiveness.
In April of this year, Law 15.383/2026 came into effect, expanding the instruments for monitoring protective measures. The law authorizes police officers to immediately order the use of electronic ankle bracelets by aggressors against women.
The legislation also provides that the victim may receive an alert device to be notified if the aggressor violates the restrictions imposed by the court and attempts to approach them.
For Nathalie Malveiro, strengthening public policies for monitoring and oversight is just as important as the judicial decision itself.
"The protective measure must be monitored to ensure compliance," he states.
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